RAE student ranks 19th in GED scoresWhile the value of a traditional high school experience is still held in high esteem by the majority of those involved in academia, more and more folks are exploring other options to put themselves on the fast track to higher education and job training. The GED (General Educational Development) exam is perhaps the most expeditious way for anyone 16 or older to acquire the equivalency of a high school diploma — without attending high school. Ki...

Board moves forward with middle schoolBY STEVE LEAVELL sleavell@cswnet.com DOVER — The Dover School board began the process of accepting bids and beginning construction on the new middle school complex as well as a few related projects. Superintendent Jerry Owens suggested that the district purchase the house and property at 251 South Elizabeth St., adjoining the proposed construction site, in order to provide better and safer access to the construction and eventual building. He s...

RSD honors teachers of the yearThe Russellville School District recognized the teachers of the year, along with this year’s retirees, during its annual employee recognition ceremony on Wednesday. Eleven educators at one of each schools within the district were awarded teacher of the year. Assistant Superintendent of Personnel and Instruction Alene Bynum announced the honorees, and Superintendent Randall Williams awarded each with a plaque of recognition. “The classroom teac...

Board approves stipendThe Lamar School Board rejected the approval of a bereavement policy and approved funds for a bus driver stipend and a reading program book purchase during Monday's regular meeting. Superintendent Roy Hester said the proposed bereavement policy would have allowed for an additional bereavement day for all staff if an immediate family member died. He said the proposal was voted down 3-2 because “immediate family member” was not adequately define...

Danville students explore Makerspace technologyA handful of Danville students were recently invited to explore Makerspace technologies in the district Learning Center and give feedback before the materials were moved into school libraries. Students from the elementary, middle, and high school were represented at the Makerspace Tinker Day. Makerspaces are spaces in rooms set aside for exploration and tinkering. Students played with four Makerspace technologies: Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Makey ...

$163,865 camera system approved at RHSThe Russellville Board of Education approved a contract to install a $163,865 security camera system at Russellville High School and the Arkansas Tech Career Center during its regular meeting Tuesday. The contract, awarded to JE-Systems Inc., of Maumelle, will include the installation of 148 interior and exterior cameras at RHS and 28 cameras at the career center. The project is long overdue, and discussion at past meetings has been centered o...

Little Rock school district to give $350 bonus to workersLITTLE ROCK (AP) — The state's largest school district and its teachers union have agreed to give most employees a $350 bonus next month. New state-appointed superintendent Baker Kurrus and president Cathy Koehler of the Little Rock Education Association announced the bonus at a news conference following a vote by union members late Monday afternoon to ratify it. Among those who will receive the one-time payments June 19 are teachers, principa...

A little heart to heartSt. Mary’s Regional Medical Center Cardiologist Dr. Rasool Shuja (right) recently visited with students in Johnny Ayres’ Pre-AP science class to teach them about the heart. Shuja presented information on the different chamber of the heart, dissected pig hearts with the students, and discussed what a cardiologist does with items such as pace makers, heart catheters and stints.

Felkins resigns from Clarksville School BoardCLARKSVILLE — The School Board accepted the resignation of member Bill Joe Felkins during its regular meeting Wednesday. The board appointed Bobby Freeman to serve as board member for the remainder of Felkins’ term. In other business, Clay Austin was appointed as disbursing officer for the district. Freeman Wish and Superintendent Dr. David Hopkins briefly discussed financing methods for the proposed new high school, but no action was taken. T...

UCA holds tuition steady, raises admission standardsLITTLE ROCK (AP) — The University of Central Arkansas Board of Trustees has agreed to keep most tuition and fees at current levels and to increase student admissions standards. The board voted Friday to continue charging undergraduates $197.25 and graduate students $234.04 per credit hour. The board did vote to raise from $240 to $270 per credit hour the rates for graduate programs offered fully online. The new standards for unconditional admi...

Ending balance ‘safe’ for HSDHECTOR — Superintendent Walt Davis presented the Hector School Board its monthly financial report Tuesday, and noted the district’s ending balance was slightly below projection. He attributed it to increased fuel costs and other expenses, but said Hector’s “revenue stream was consistent.” “I don’t ever want to say we’re ‘safe,’” he said, “but I think we are.” The board met a day later than scheduled because of an inability to achieve a quorum ...

U of O Alumni Board adds seven new directorsCLARKSVILLE — Seven new members have been elected to the University of the Ozarks’ Alumni Association Board of Directors. Brandon Carlson ’10, Whitney Lewis ’14, Gary Perry ’74, George Pittenger ’91, Luis Sanchez ’08, Courtney Taylor ’09, and Bruce Williams ’43, were elected during the April board meeting. They will begin their three-year terms on July 1. Carlson, of College Station, Texas, works as a community director at Texas A&M University...

Lottery says cuts will boost money for scholarshipsLITTLE ROCK (AP) — The Arkansas lottery will have more money available for college scholarships next year because of cutbacks to the organization, but its revenues are running behind expectations so far this year, the games' director told lawmakers Thursday. Lottery Director Bishop Woosley said that the games are projected to generate $79.5 million in net proceeds for scholarships in the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1. That marks a $1...

Conway college president moves out of school-owned homeLITTLE ROCK (AP) — University of Central Arkansas President Tom Courtway has moved out of the president's home and into a private residence. He and his wife moved earlier this month to a home in Conway that Courtway said offers them more privacy. The couple had lived in the president's home since March 2012. The university-owned home was a sore point for a former president of the school, who resigned under pressure over a house-renovation deal...

Fifty years after starting, Johnson is college graduateA dream deferred for almost five decades came true for James Johnson of North Little Rock on Saturday. At the age of 68, he received his Bachelor of Professional Studies degree from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. Johnson attended Jarvis Christian College in Texas from 1965-68, but the need to provide for his family caused him to discontinue his education one year short of completing his degree. As the years went by, Johnson worked f...

Arkansas State Board of Trustees approve tuition increaseJONESBORO (AP) — The Arkansas State University Board of Trustees has approved tuition and fee increases at its meeting in Jonesboro. The board met Friday and approved a 4.27 percent increase in tuition and fees that will raise the average cost to a full-time student at the flagship campus in Jonesboro by $165 per semester. The board also approved tuition increases of 4.6 percent at ASU-Beebe; 3.8 percent at ASU-Newport; and 2.7 percent at ASU ...

U of O Spring Commencement ceremony set for May 16CLARKSVILLE — University of the Ozarks will award bachelor degrees to 114 graduating seniors during its 2015 Spring Commencement ceremony, scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 16, on the campus mall. A Baccalaureate Service in the Walton Fine Arts Center will begin the day’s activities at 9 a.m. The Rev. Stewart Smith, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Springdale, will deliver the proclamation during the Baccalaureate Service. Smith is...

Vang earns Jim Ed McGee Award at ATUKao Vang received the 2015 Jim Ed McGee Award as the most outstanding graduate student at Arkansas Tech University during a presentation at Tomlinson Hall on April 21. Vang earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology in 2012 and a Master of Science degree in college student personnel in 2014 from Arkansas Tech. A native of Havana in Yell County, Vang serves as target school liaison for the Arkansas Tech Upward Bound Math and Science program...

Attorney picked to lead Little Rock School DistrictLITTLE ROCK (AP) — State education officials say attorney Baker Kurrus will be the new superintendent of the Little Rock School District. Kurrus, 60, replaces former superintendent Dexter Suggs, who resigned last month amid allegations he plagiarized sections of his 2009 doctoral dissertation. The Arkansas Board of Education made the announcement at a Tuesday afternoon news conference. Kurrus previously served on the Little Rock School Board f...